Abstract

During a comprehensive survey of fauna associated with James River oyster reefs in 1971–72, a large population of the spionid polychaeteBoccardia hamata was found. The abundance of this boring species was greater than that of the well-known oyster pestPolydora websteri. B. hamata has not been reported previously in the Chesapeake Bay system and its occurrence on the east coast of the United States is not common. The large numbers in 1971–72 and continued presence ofB. hamata in 1975 suggests that the species may be well established in the James River. This may have some implications to the oyster industry if the species is as harmful as other boring spionids.